keeping general practice
at the heart of patient
care in Cornwall...

Schools

Immunisations are a very important part of maintaining health, not just for the children in your schools but also for the entire population.

Some vaccines are only effective for a short period of time, such as the Live Attenuated Influenza Vaccine (LAIV), and it is therefore crucial children are immunised in good time. Our aim at Kernow Health is to see a significant increase in the number of children protected against some of the more serious diseases.

Why Vaccinate?

The national immunisation programme has meant that dangerous diseases, such as polio, have disappeared in the UK, but they could come back – they are still around in many countries throughout the world. That’s why it is so important for your children to be protected. In the UK such diseases are kept in check because we have a high immunisation rates.
A vaccine contains a small part of the bacterium or virus that causes a disease, or tiny amounts of the chemicals the bacterium produces.

Vaccines work by causing the body’s immune system to make antibodies (substances to fight infections and diseases), so if a child comes into contact with the infection, the antibodies will recognise it, fight back and protect them.

It is really important that children and their families understand the risks to a child’s health if they are not vaccinated against the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Cervical cancer can be very serious. After breast cancer, it is the most common women’s cancer in the world. In the UK, around 3000 cases of it are diagnosed every year and about 900 women die from it. Vaccination should reduce the chance of getting cervical cancer by 70%.

Vaccination Programme

Our experienced nurses will come into your schools and will vaccinate year 8 and year 9 girls against the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) which can cause cervical cancer (a cancer that develops at the entrance to the womb).

How is it given?

The HPV vaccine is given as an injection in the arm; it will take approximately 5 minutes. Your child will be called for a second dose of the vaccine which is administered 6-24 months after the first one. A common side effect is stinging, soreness and redness of the arm, but this usually wears off after a couple of days. Other common side effects during this time that have been reported are, headache, generalised aches and pains, fatigue and low grade fever.

If these symptoms continue after this time please consult your GP.

Giving consent

Every year thousands of young people are vaccinated and the child or their parent will need to give consent for the vaccination to be administered. When our nurses come into the school they will discuss any concerns the child may have, or you could call confidentially on 01872 221105, 01872 221106 or 01872 221107